Laterally traversing vertical blind



Jan. 13, 1953 PECK LATERALLY TRAVERSING VERTICAL BLIND Filed May 5, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet l lo@ ,O I 3 i /08 IN VEN-role CL/ffopo E DECK AToR NE Y c. E. PEcK 2,625,219

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTo/e Curro/QD E DECK LATERALLY TRAVERSING VERTICAL BLIND `Ian. 13, 1953 Filed May :5, 1951 on n@ w 'ToR/vf Y .win

GN QQ Jan. 13, 1953 c. E. PEcK 2,625,219

LATERALLY TRAVERSING VERTICAL BLIND Filed May 5, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jan. 13, 1953 c. E. PEcK 2,625,219

LATERALLY TRAVERSING VERTICAL BLIND Patented Jan. 13, 1953 UNITED STATES TENT `(lFFICl.

LATERALLY TRAVERSING VERTICAL BLIND Clifford E. Peck, Indianapolis, Ind'.

Application May 3, 1951, Serial No. 224,377

(Cl. ISD-168) 2 Claims.

` This invention relates to a blind of the louver type wherein the louvers are vertically positioned when used as -a blind for a Window in the usual manner, and particularly to means for rocking 'the louvers on vertical axes, and also causing the lo-uvers to travel horizontally to provide for a clear, unobstructed opening between adjacent groups of louvers.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a structure of the nature indicated above Wherein the louvers may be caused to rock on their vertical axes by a positive, rigid mechanical connection, that is rigid as opposed to the heretofore commonly employed ladder tape construction and cord connections such as have heretofore been employed in the so-called Venetian blinds. In the invention herein set forth, each louver in the blind is mounted independently of an adjacent louver, but there is a mechanical interconnection causing the louvers to rock in unison to the degree desired.

A further primary object of the invention is to provide a mechanism Which will cause the louvers regardless of the positions to which they may have been rocked in respect to their vertical axes to move bodily one in relation to a next adjacent louver whereby the spacing'of the axes of the respective louvers will be varied in accordance with the opening desired.

A still further important object of the invention resides in the particular structure which is employed to mount the louvers by end connections so that they may be readily disconnected and removed as may be desired, or Without having to disturb any of the mechanism which causes the louvers to rock or to travel.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those versed in the art in the following description of one particular form of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a view in inside elevation of a structure embodying the invention, showing the louvers in a closed condition;

Fig. 2 is a View in horizontal section on the line 2-2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a View in side elevation on an enlarged scale of a louver end mounting;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the line 4-4 in Fig. 3; Y

Fig. 5 is a View in vertical section on the line 4 4 in Fig. 3, but with the elements in disassembled position initially placed for the interengagement thereof;

Fig. 6 is a View in rear elevation of a louver attaching clip;

Fig. '7 is a front View in elevation of the attaching clip;

Fig. 8 is a view in.v section on the line 3-3 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a View in section on the line 9-3 in Fig. 1;

Fig. l0 is a detail in side elevation and partial section of a louver rotating mechanism;

Fig. 1l is a view in verticalsection on the line II-ll in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a view in transverse section on the line l2--I2 in Fig. 11;

Fig 13 is a View in top plan of the structure;

Fig. 14 is a detail in section on the line lli-I4 in Fig. 13, on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 15 is a view in section on theA line Iii-l 5 in in Fig. 13 on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 16 isa view in vertical section on the line IB-l 6 in Fig. 13 on a still further enlarged scale; and

Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic representation of the louver traversing drive.

While the invention has other uses, it will be described herein in reference to use as a window blind. The structure when viewed from the inside of the room looking toward the Window will ap-pear as indicated in Fig. 1, wherein there is a top facia 20, a lower faca 2|, and appearing therebetween will be the louvers generally indicated by the numeral 22.

In the form of the invention herein shown, the louvers 22 are mounted in two groups, whereby the louvers may be parted in the center to be pulled from the central zone to each side of the window for a clear opening therebetween. While the invention is not restricted to any definite number of louvers in each group, theinvention is illustrated herein to have the louvers 23-28 in one group and the louvers 29-34 in a second group, the louvers 28 and 34 overlapping at their adjacent vertical edges. The louvers 28 and 34 overlap in their closed positions as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2.

All of these louvers 22 are mounted to turn on vertically disposed axes. A lever 35, Fig. 1, is rockably engaged with a vertically disposed rod 3B on the left hand side of the blind, and by raising the lever 35 and rocking i-t through the dash line position as indicated in Fig. 2, all of the louvers 23-28 may be rocked to their dash line positions. Likewise there is a lever 31 rockably mounted on a rod 38 at the right hand side of the blind, and by rocking it through its dash 3 line of travel as indicated in Fig. 2, the louvers 29-34 may be rocked to their dash line positions. The details of this mechanism in each case will be described below.

On each side of the blind there is provided a cord 53 and 40 respectively, with a hand grip 4l and 42. By moving these grips up and down, .the louvers 22 may be caused to travel laterally of the blind so as to give the desired clear opening between-thezinner louversx and 34,'-or the louvers having. been open, may be pulled Iback to the closed positions as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2. These operations may be conducted eitherin their solid line positions -orin thedash line positions, Fig. 2. The mechanism for-this operation will also be described below in detail.

The entire mechanism is `mounted -at the window opening in any suitable mannerr depending` upon the construction of the rframework about the window. In the form herein shown, the structure involving the Ainvention. is mounted on a frame 43 which is shown as` anangle iron frame.

Referring to Figs. 13, 15, and16,thereis a downturned end plate 44 at the lupperlefthand `corner or the frame' 53,' and supported therefrom by the leg 45, Fig. 15. As illustrated primarily in Fig. 15, there is a gear bracket 45 supported from the end bracket. 44 by any suitable means, herein lshownas by axstu'd`4'e'a. The bracket 45 has a gear hub''i revolubly -carried thereby, and a shaft 43 extends through' the hub 4T with a driving connection therewith.' This shaft-,148. may have a number of diierent crossfsectio-nal shapes, the important thing being that the shapebe such that Vby inserting it through the 'hub '47, and rotating the shaft; 48,0n -its axis, the hubzl' will `be driven therewith.; InjtheV present showing,

this shaft 418 is lshownrtoibeY square in crosssection.

' The shaft 48 .eXtends fromthe hub'4'1 to a ycentral bracket', Figs. 13 and 14, whereV the shaft extendsby one end revolubly through a down-turned leg 50. Thezshaft143 is secured to Vthe hub 4l' inrrespect tdilongitudinalA travel, 'herein shown as'by-Ineans of apin'l passed throughthenub 41m-the iefc'cf the bracket as.

' .Thehub 41 is provided witha-shoulderlon its --one side, ,and a collarg53 surrounds the hub 6'! ori-the other 'sideV of the bracket 46 land is secured in'place by means ofthe pin 5l, all'togthe ,end that the'hub 4l' may revolve in respect to the bracket 45 but may-not travel in a direction longitudinally ofthe shaft-48.

A'The bracket 45 ,has ahorizontally disposed leg 54, through which extends vertically a tubular louver carrier 55.-

;with an Yannular collari to abut the underside Thisv carrier 55 is provided of the leg 54; anda'gear 5l' is fixed ,on the upper end ofthe ca rrier5'5 on the ,topside of the leg 54,

so'that the carrier 55 is held. against vertical displacementin 'respectto the leg 54. VOn the hub 47 is xed a'pinion gear 58 to be in constant mesh wl-th the gear'5l'.

.respects tothe .bracket 49.(but'has1its leg 64.r`

nate-d by the numerals S9 and il). There is a lpair of,.louvers ,59, 10 for each of the louvers 24,

- of `their-respective shafts 43 and 53.

instance, the traveling louver is mounted as in- 25,*2Bf2; 28, thecarriers 54 and et being providedto support the rst louver 23. These carriers 69, 'E5 are mounted to travel longitudinally In each dicated in Figs. lll-12 wherein the illustrations Y, apply tothe lower louver 1i! butare exactly the l 'same YinV construction 'for. the. upper louvers 169, j thejonlydifferencebeingthat the carriers in eachA instance'` are directedy one toward thefother, ,that isthe uppercarriersl are directed down- Lwardly vwhereas the lowern carriers 'lll are directed Referring now to Figs. 10-12, a louve: carrier li) isprovidedwith an annular. shoulder Il which rests on theouter. sideof aleg 'i2 extending'laterf allyfrorn a verti'cally'disposed,bracketmember -'i3 which in turn revolubly A,carries al gearhub 14.

The, gear `,hub la is heldagainst longitudinal ktravel -throughvthe member113, Abut has; .the shaft 'e3' slidable'through the hub le, but in rotary driving connection therewith. .The hub'I-4 isprop videdwith a reducedpdi'ameter section l5 which extendsthrough the memberJSfto carry a collar means for vrestraining the ,hub '14. against travel laterally through the memberlS. On theface of thehub T4 isrsec-uredajpiniongear ll which is in constant meshwith :ageaiymember lllnxedto tically from thelleg l2. "The gear'rnemberj'l, is herein shown as consisting-simply of 'a 'platethrough which therefare hcles'l' to receive the teeth j 89 offthe, pinion gear 11., This makesarelatively.cheap-construcis 'a'laterally turned foot' 13a to the underside of which is secured ,the lazy tongsll. j The vlazy tongs j 8L is a ,duplicate of Vthetop lazy tongg.

' In each instance, `the lazy tongs consi-stof a vplurality of cross 'links'82'and' 83 pivotly connected by the outer-endsand-also pivotly connectedby their centra-l; crossing over portions by ,screwsl 84 stance. i Thus,--tlielazy1tongs` -60 on top andai underneath are-secured tombe-hired VVgear Xbrackets AS1-.andi 6?: and fto the shiftablegear bracketssupporting the carriers-59and i5-'spaced along the respective shaftsollhand 53;,'Lwhereby contraction;of-,thelazyi tongs asiindicated in Fig.

13 will pull the carriers one toward the Aother into close proximity@ and; the under lazy tongs 3l will likewise pulhthe lower carrier winterclose -proximity adjacentfthe fixed end --brackets 46 V tive car-riersji and ,10a-there is,.provided acontinuous lengthof acable croci-d 85... Thiscable 'is'looped around a 'pulley 8.6` carried on avertical axis o n the side of the leg 50 of the bracket 49, Figs. 13 and 14, and thence extends to the left tol have the run 81 engaged by a clamp 88 which is secured to the outer right hand screw 89 'passing through the ends of the lazy tongs 60. This run 81 is carried to the left over a pulley 90, vertically downwardly therefrom, to carry under a lower pulley 9| horizontally to acentral pulley 92, around that pulley 92, back through a run 93 to bev engaged by a clamp 94 secured to the end screw 84 atthe out-er right hand end of the lazy tongs 8 I, to the pulley 95, then upwardly vertically to have the end grip 4| xed thereon, and finally around over the pulley 96 back to the pulley 05, Fig. 1'1. By pulling downwardly on the hand grip 4|, the. cable will-cause the lazy tongs 50 and 8l to be extended, to cause the cable to travel in the directions of the arrows, and thereby carry the louvers 24-28 to their fully spaced apart positions.

Now, where it is intended to have the louvers separate, one group from the other as indicated above, to provide a central clear opening therebetween, the above construction is duplicated to traverse the right hand portion of the opening,

through the frame 43. In this regard, there is the upper drive shaft 98 and a lower drive shaft 99 each having mounted thereon respectively the louver-carriers and |0|.

To rock the louvers 23-28 from their closed ork overlaping relationship as indicated in Figs. 1 an-d 2, the shaft 48, 53 on the one side and k08, 99 on theother side, are caused to rotate on their axes through the vertically disposed rods 36, 39 respectively. through the respective louver carriers in the following manner.

The louvers may be made out of any desirable material, such as metal, wood, but preferably they are made out of a fabric which is flexible, and which may be replaced from time to time for purposes of cleaning or even different color combinations as the interior decorating scheme may warrant. In the present showing, these louvers are of fabric, therefore their ends have to have special' engagements with the various carriers 59, and |00, |0 In this regard, reference is made to Figs.V 3-'1 inclusive, wherein there is shown a plateV |02 of an elongated nature and having a horizontally disposed slot |03 therethrough traversing the major length thereof.

An elongated spring clip |04 is shaped to have a generally circular cross sectional body |05 having a longitudinal opening |00 entirely across its length', whereby the sidewalls of the clip body are carried toward each other to form the margins of the opening |00 and then turn outwardly into the diverging feet |01 and |08, as best indicated in Fig. 5. The diameter of the. body |05 is approximately the vertical dimension of the slot |03.

A length of fabric |09a is laid across a side face of the plate |02, across the` slot |03, and the clip |04 is brought up with its rounded body |05 to carry the fabric through the slot |03 by pressing the clip irmly thereagainst, to permit the clip to enter through the slotiwith theffabric wrapped around the body"|05 until the feet |01 and |08 form the limiting stop. The shape of the clip |04 is such that the fabric will be snugly gripped against the upper and lower margins of the slot 03 by the clip. Then after the full insertion of the clip |04, Fig. 4, the fabric is wrapped around and pulled downwardly as indicated in Fig. 4. In this manner the feet |01 Now that motion is transmitted arid |08 are completely covered over, and so is thev body |05 by the enclosing fabric on the otherside of the plate |02.

The plate |02 is provided with a rectangular tongue |09 extending therefrom in the plane of` the plate |02. The end of the tongue |09 is pro-- vided with an opening ||0 therethrough. The tongue |09 is inserted through each of the respective louver carriers, through a rectangular opening HI in an outer end thereof, to extend within the bore of the carrier, Fig. 10, to receive a spring ||2 therearound, to have the lower end of the spring ||2 inserted and carried through the hole I0. The upper end of the spring in respect to Fig. 10, bears against the closed end I3 of the carrier 10 through which the opening extends. The spring ||2 is a compression spring therebygtending to pull the tongue ||0 into the carrier in each instance.

Thus when the louver fabric is engaged with the respective plates |02, that is the one at the top and the one at the bottom, the springs |I2 tend to hold the fabric tautly.

The louver carriers |00 and |0| supporting the louvers 30-34 are caused to shift traversely of the window by means of the cable operated by the hand grip 42. This cable 40 is carried upwardly over the top pulley |l5, to extend to the central pulley ||6 carried by the bracket 49,- Figs. 13 and 14, to have the cable 40 engaged by the clamp I |1 at the outer end of the lazy tongs ||8 (herein shown as in the extended position) by the screw |81, and from the pulley H0, the cable pulley extends to the right again over the pulley I|9 and then downwardly to a lower pulley |20, horizontally across to a center pulley |2 thence horizontally to the right again around the pulley |22 and thence in the vertical run back to the pulley H5. v Y

Thus is to be seen that I have provided a structure wherein the louvers may be run on their vertical axes to give the maximum amount of light entrance therepast, or they may be rocked to their fully closed or overlapping position. Then regardless of the degree of rocking of the louvers on their vertical axes, the louvers may be shifted from their central positions or rather their most extended positions in respect to the ends of the structure away fromthe center to come into close compacted relationship. There are no ladder tapes or other flexible interengagements between the louvers, but instead they are fixed at their extreme outer ends to carriers which are mechanically moved. Also it is to be seen that the individual louvers may be quickly replaced andinstalled without disturbing any of the other mechanism.

In some installations, the shafts 48, 53, and 98, 99 may have such length that they may tend to sag between their end supports. To support these shafts intermediate those ends, a pair of side plates |and |5|, Figs. 1 and 8, are provided to be mounted upon a bracket |59 which is `supported from the frame 43. These side plates |50 and |5| are rigid, and in the present showing are inclined upwardly and inwardly one toward the other to have inturned marginal portions |53 and |54 lapping over the vari-ous brackets carried on the lower shafts 63 and 99, hereinshown as lapping over on the top sides of those brackets whereby the brackets may slide along those members |53 and |54. Then the brackets carry on the overturned leg 12, a pair of fingers |55 and |56 to pass over the topsides of those members |53 and |54 so that the brackets 13 may not drop downwardly-by reason l of the end p-ortions |53 and |54 of the-side 'plates of the `-interengagement |50 and |5|. Consequently the shafts 63 and 99 `are supported through the brackets 'i3 against a tendency to bendbetween their end supports.

*In* like-nianner, side plates |68 and 1|6| are mounted on a bracket |52 carried by the frame i3 to be angular-ly directed -invvardly and downwardly to have inturned edge portions |3fand |64 overlappingY the-upper vline of brackets' carried onY the two shafts i3 and 98. -These brackets have the -tvvoA pairs of nngers -ltiand f |66 extending across -the undersides of those 'plate -end portions Stand il 543 so that the upper-shafts 48 andflil are thereby supported through` the brackets Land-in turn bytheside 'plates IGQ and v V116|.' The side platesfineachinstance, ser-ve lalso as a housing to concealvtheA mechanism*of` the brackets and the lazy tongs which appear Within l the confines of those plates.

The facia 2Q and 2| farecarried Aby -the-upper and lower brackets 62 and 59 respectively-many suitable manner, Fig. 16, hereinshown as by -turned'legs Vid and i?! respectively, the leg |75 -being downturned andthe -leg I'H being upturned, therespective free ends 0f thesel legs being'inserted within a groove |72 and |73 respectively on the inside opposing marginal portions of the faoia members. Then there is extended i yfronterach of these legs Ht and `l 1| a slidable bar +74 and |15 respectively secured on the inner sides fof thelegs-bythe screws |73. The ends of these ba-rs are carried into upperand lower grooves Hl and |18 respectively so that the facia in each instance is supported between the outer ends-of the legs andthebars.

Therefore, While Il have described the invention `in moreoriess minute detail ini-respect to one particular use, it is obvious that structural variations may be'employed such as inthe means forI contracting or expanding the lazytongs structure, and in other details, allwitl'iout departing fromL the spirit'of the invention, and I therefore VVdo *not desire to--be llimited -to thatwprecise form any more than may be required-by the limitation ofjthe following claims.

-I claim:

l'. A multiple slat blind comprising a pair of spaced 4apartparallel shafts; -means Arevolubly supporting said shafts in fixed longitudinal positions; a Aplurality-of brackets mounted on said shafts to have the shafts extend revolubly therethrough and the brackets' shiftablejtherealong; a'carrier mounted on each of said bracketsto be revoluble lon axes normalto the shafts, they carriers of brackets on one shaft beingdirected toward carriers of brackets on the other Shaft; a drive member carried by the bracket in each instance to be revolved by rotation of' the shaft; a

vdriven member carried by said carrier .in each instance to be in driving engagement with the driving member,.whereby rotation of thex shafts cause rotationof the carriers; means interengaging the ends of theslats with said carriers to have the slats extend from the brackets in substantial `parallelism one slat With another; means maintaining said brackets in uniform spacing one from the other along each of said shafts; said means comprising a lazy tongs .having its ends secured Y mediate cross member intersections securedone each to each bracket between said end'brackets; a common endbracket on eachsshaft being .fixed against travel along, and rotation about the shaft;

- and means independent of rotation of the-shaft for expanding andcontracting said lazy tongs to vary said bracket spacing comprising an endless cable having spaced portions fixed to that end 'of said lazy tongs in each instance removed from `said fixed end bracket; a pulley atthe extreme vend of expansion of said lazy tongsineach instance; andpulleys at saidxedbracket in each instance; said cablebeing carried around. said pulleys by parallel kflights alongsaid shafts and by 4continuous parallel flights between said shafts,

wherebytravel'of the cable around' the ,pulleys in Aonejdirection willexpand both lazy tongs and in the other `direction will retract bothv lazy tongs; said .lazy tongs being fixed against. revolution about said shafts.

2. A Venetian type. blind hailing avpluralityV of vertically disposedslats comprisinga pair of vertically spaced horizontallyv disposed shafts .one each atvthe tcpand bottomofssaid vslatsg'gear meansbetween said shafts and said slats driven by the shafts for rotatingthe slatsonfvertical axes upon rotation of theshafts; andlazy tongs supported in fixed planes` againstrevolutionabout said shafts, one at eaoh-ofsaidvshafts and interconnecting with each of said slats as means for spacing apart said slats/along said shafts; a bracket at each end of. eachvof said slats rotatably supporting said slats; Vsaid shafts rotatablyextending through said brackets; said gear means being supported by said brackets; and said lazy tongs being pivotally attached toA saidbrackets; and guide means slidinglynsupporting-and vertically spacing apart4 said brackets of the respectivel spaced apart shafts; means for rocking said shafts for said rotation thereof; and means for extending and contracting said. vlazy.tonss independently of rotation of ,saidshafts comprising an endless cable having, spaced portions nxed to-thatend of saidlazyt-ongsin each instance removed from saidnxedend bracket; a pulley at the extreme end-of expansion ofrsaid lazytongs in each instance; andvupulleys at said Y x'ed brackets in each instance;s .said cable-being-carried around saidpulleys by parallel nights along said shafts and by (continuous. parallel nights between said shafts, v vhereby travel of. the acable around the pulleys in one directioniwill expand both lazy tongsyand, in the other direction ,will

vretractboth lazy tongs.

CLIEFQRD E. yPreis.

, REFERENCES CITED f The,

n A I 'ollowing references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNrrEn STATES PATENTS 

